Using your mortgage tolower your debt... "Where the heck does it all go?" You're looking at your T4 slip from last year... or maybe your most recent pay stub. Sure, many people wish that those numbers after the dollar sign were a little higher, but it's the vanishing act that alarms you most. Tax time is especially sobering; you can see how much money you made... but your credit card is still maxed out and you don't have much to show for a year's income.If you're looking for the holes in your wallet, start by making a list of your debts. Are your credit cards teetering at the top of their limits? Do you make regular use of your overdraft protection at the bank? Doyou have escalating tax liabilities? What about any department store cards? And - quick - what was the interest rate on those... 04/10/2007

The Harris Real Estate GroupFebruary 6th, 2007Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update Dear Grady,  From "Creative Real Estate Magazine":   "Many of the people who are complaining right now were also complaining last year about exactly the opposite conditions."   Isn't it time to stop complaining and get to work yet?    One of my favorites real estate related quotes is "Fortunes in real estate have been made in good times, bad times, and in-between times."  I'd like to add my own ending to that statement: But NO fortunes were made by people who spend all their time complaining.  :) Remember: Deals exist in every market, it's just a matter of doing it...   The Harris Real Estate Group Sutton Westcoast Realty 604 771 0637     Listings and Services:For some no obligation advice, give the Harris... 02/28/2007

The Harris Real Estate GroupSUTTON Westcoast RealtyFebruary 21st, 2007Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update Dear Grady,  How crazy do we ALL get when it comes to buying and selling real estate? Imagine if we shopped for everything the way we shopped for real estate:   CAR BUYING: "I'm waiting to find a seller who really needs the money, and wants to sell me his car at 30-40% under value. Until then, I'm walking!"   CAR SELLING: "Even though my car Blue Books at $5200, I'm going to sell at $6200...because I love my car is so much"   JOBS: "I'm not really in the market for a new job, but if something comes along, I'd be ready to quit, call me if you find something..."   SHOES: "I've been looking for about a year now. I really want to get the perfect pair. I've probably tried on 200."   GAS:... 02/28/2007

Richmond BC Canada - Are you a foreign investor or non-resident of Canada? If you are a US resident, here's good news for you:U.S. residents who are looking to purchase a second/vacation home in Canada for their personal use may now qualify for financing.  There are Canadian banks and/or lenders who could offer home financing or mortgages  to qualified buyers, with 65% loan-to-value ratio (first $500,000) and 60% (balance).Initial investment or downpayment usually 35%  to 40% (from own resources) will be required to purchase a property. Likewise, included in the qualifying criteria are good credit history (report obtained from US credit bureau) and employment or proof of income. Eligible properties are second home or vacation property. For example: New or existing single family dwelling... 02/24/2007

I got my first traffic ticket in more than 10 years last Thursday and by some mriacle it was not a speeding ticket. Not that drive I that fast, but of all the tickets you expect to get as a REALTOR speeding is the one you expect to get. No, I got a ticket for an turning left at a 2-way stop where left hand turns are no longer allowed. The corner is E. 1st and Quebec and you are no longer allowed to turn left from E.1st eastbound onto Quebec northbound. This is one of the worst changes in traffic rules I have ever seen with no notification of the change before the intersection and two signs that are hard to see at the intersection. Of the two signs that show no left turn, one is on top of the stop sign, which is hidden behind telephone poles from a block away and far to the right of the ... 02/12/2007

Average House Price Will Increase 4% Per Year for the next 25 years.TD Bank Financial Group- September 2006 Home prices in Canada should rise 4% annually on average over the next 25 years, although that won't hold for all houses in all markets, according to a TD Bank report. "Our report confirms the old adage that real estate is all about location, location, location,'' Craig Alexander, deputy chief economist of TD Bank Financial Group, said in a release. Victoria, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are the cities will see higher prices than 4%. Calgary and Edmonton should see "above average price gains in large part due to favourable economic prospects, stronger projected population growth and younger population than many other provinces. [Alexander also noted that] "over the long haul, p... 02/08/2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!January 4th, 2007As 2007 starts, we look back in hindsight at the amazing achievements from each of our clients. It is time once again to thank each of you for all the ventures we have taken together. Aside from that, it is also a time to reflect on the things that are around us that require very little money to enjoy day to day, things that money can't buy. Take the time this New Year with your family and enjoy our Paradise, Vancouver. After all, living in Vancouver is being close to being in heaven on earth. The environment is majestic, the climate outstanding, the views spectacular. There is a very special flavour here. We wish you and your family a wonderful New Year in paradise!Here is a quick note to let you know how we can help you or anyone you might r... 02/08/2007

The new tower by Cressey Developments in Vancouver, B.C. has created a 5-part, or act sit-com series called Donovan life. There has been lots of commentary on this in the blogoshere today. See The Future of Real Estate Marketing and on the Ubertor blog. One of the"stars" of the show is Crystal Buble. Is this Michael Buble's sister? It would appear so. Is her profile on IMBD.com. See the Show at http://www.donovanlife.com . 02/07/2007

Traffic was backed up bumper to bumper on the Cambie Street bridge Thursday as Canada Line construction has limited Cambie Street to one lane each way from the south end of the bridge deck all the up to W. 16th Ave. This will stay like this for the next few months. If you are headed out of Downtown plan to use any other route. Granville Street bridge, Burrard, Main, or even east to Knight street. Just stay several blocks away from Cambie. Heather Ash and Yukon streets will also be affected by people attempting to short cut the mess. Do support those Cambie St merchants though. Maybe ride the bike over. Walk. Just do not drive unless you've got lots of time and who has that these days.  02/03/2007

They say that the better the market the less developed spend on wooing the REALTORS. Last week I attended the REALTOR preview for Cressey Develeopments new "Yaletown" tower names Donovan. Now this one has beena  long time coming. I pre-registered for this on 13 MONTHS AGO! Apparently there were some delays to do with a couple of heritage homes on the site.Well they tried some new tactic to build up the excitement including mailing out "key cards" that would be "required" for access to the preview. Mine didn't make it in the mail but  they let me in with a business card and gave me a card. I have since received two in the mail..... The other interesting tactic was that they would allow each REALTOR to reserve one unit for a "preferred client". I had a problem. I had TWO clients who had e... 02/03/2007

I just returned from my lunch and noticed that they are preparing to demolish the long derelict home across from London Drugs in Kerrisdale. I wonder what will replace it. The trend in this area has been big square faux heritage homes (the new Hong Kong special. Is it the Beijing special?). The zoning here is RS-6  the same as the rest of the neighbourhood which is unfortunate (Here are the design guidelines). I hope the City allows something more interesting here. I think this would be a great location for some innovative new housing types with greater density. The location is not that attractive for a single family home point of view, but for some townhomes (maybe even freehold townhomes), or units geared to seniors this would be a very atttractive location. 01/30/2007

Great one bedroom condo at this great Open House Saturday January 20th from 2-4pm and the 21st from 2:30-4pm.See it here 01/19/2007

I attended a Breakfast Meeting for REALTOR's yesterday where we enjoyed a short speach from one of the City of Vancouver's city planners regarding the city's plans for the Westside of Vancouver. The general jist of it was that the city is planning to increase density in Vancouver, but on the westside this looks like it will mostly take the form of more duplexes, row houses and carriage houses on main streets adjacent to what they call "Community Vision Neighbourhood Centres" These are areas like Dunbar St around 41st Ave, King Edward Ave, and 16th Ave, 41st Ave. in Kerrisdale, 10th Ave in Point Grey, and Cambie St at King Edward and 16th. For more information click here.The City is also planning a changes around the Canada Line. Starting at the Marine Dr. station at Marine and Cambie th... 01/19/2007

Shocked by the increase in your property tax assessment this year? British Columbia Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced today that homeowners with an assessed value of up to $950,000 can now receive the full homeowner's grant. This up from last years maximum of $780,000. The B.C Homewoners Grant program reduces the burden of property taxes , for owner-occupiers, to a maximum of $570 a year, with an additional grant of $275 if the owner is over 65, disabled or eligible for certain veteran's allowances. 01/12/2007

This is the ultimate ARBUTUS WALK one bedroom. Spacious rooms, stunning decor, and a huge balcony (almost 138 sqft.) are the highlights of this stunning unit. Plan the house warming party now; there is room for all your friends. The rooms are large, including a real home office with windows and insuite storage/den, and the layout is fantastic yet this is NOT YOUR COOKIE-CUTTER CONDO. The BUILDING is Arbutus Outlook built by Bastion of concrete and steel in 2003. Living here you are steps or a stumble to the best of this wonderful community. Whether its walking the dog (pets allowed, rentals too), shopping, or dining out, it is all at your doorstep.See it on my website here.See the virtual tour here. 01/12/2007

Harris Real EstateDecember 8, 2006Vancouver Weekly Real Estate UpdateMARKET COMMENTARY:  The holidays are officially here and the real estate market is slowing down to a dead crawl as it does every year.  So what's a buyer or seller to do?  If you're selling, and you want to be sold quickly, reduce reduce reduce reduce.  If you're a buyer, you'll find that life is a little bit easier with all the other buyers taking the time off too.    The other great thing about the holidays are the parties, and we're going to be throwing one too!  If you're in the neighbourhood, come by our new office (101-272 E 4th Ave. in Vancouver) and meet the team!  Starting at 6 pm this Saturday, we'd love to see you there.  This will be the last newsletter until the new year, so Merry Christmas or Happy Hanuka... 12/12/2006

I just found out about this G-R-E-A-T website and want to share it with everyone since I think it is so unique and effective to get clients. On January 1, 2007 will be the launching of a network of 36 web sites targeted to various housing markets across North America (United States & Canada). The difference here is that each website is specializing in just ONE GEOGRAPHIC AREA so you can focus on your own TARGET MARKET and establish yourself as a sought after, knowledgeable professional in your housing market area.I was wondering why there was not a website like this before since the best way to advertise yourself is LOCALLY. These sites will be a great source for news, numbers and opinions regarding your local housing market. Every site will have content written by professionals from th... 12/06/2006

Are you looking for something to put you in the Christmas mood as Vancouver's snow melts and the rain returns? Well consider a visit to Stanley Park's Bright Nights Christmas train and light display. There are more than one million lights and the wonderful Christmas train. The train takes a wonderful little trip through the woods covered in lights, through a tunnel and past the unique live performances of the Mortal Coil performance art group. The firefighters will be there collecting for the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund so be sure to drop a few bucks in their boots. Tickets can be purchased up to 10am for same day on the evil Ticketmaster, or from noon you can buy tickets on site for the same day. I might be there tonight. Keep an eye out for me with my 3 kids and my beauti... 12/05/2006

We had an office presentation this morning regarding a new company from Vancouver that is offering a way to jazz up the email REALTORs send via MLXchange. The company is called MLSjet and they offer quite an interesting product. Once you've signed up for their service all you have to do is add "mlsjet.com" to the e-mail address of any client you are sending a listing to. The client never sees that but it adds an HTML surround and background to the message and makes it look all nice. The offer a number of templates, many of which are awful, that are branded for the major national franchises and will customize one for you for $75/hour. They claim they never need more than an hour to set one up. Take a look at the templates here. They had a the power point presentation, the fast talking sa... 12/04/2006

Harris Real EstateNovember 30, 2006Vancouver Weekly Real Estate UpdateSuccess Stories       Congrats to J., an old friend of mine who just closed on her 1st property, a great looking loft at 'the spot' in downtown Vancouver. 2 floors, 16ft. ceilings, you can't go wrong!   Also, congratulations to M. and A. Newly arrived from the prairies, they came to me to help them negotiate the best possible price on a home they've had their eyes on for awhile. Brand new development, still under warrenty and over looking a forest.  Perfect.   Congrats also to P and K. who took possesion of their new house in Surrey.  They have plans for a daycare among other things, and I'd like to wish them good luck!       IN THIS ISSUESuccess StoriesFrom the News Mortgage Issues  Property Listings: Apartment Forec... 12/01/2006